Moscow has withdrawn its UK ambassador as relations between Britain and Russia continue to deteriorate amid Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.
Andrey Kelin, who had been in the role for more than seven years, left his post on 21 July.
According to The Times, Russia is yet to submit another candidate to the Foreign Office and there is reportedly no indication of when a replacement may be appointed.
The Russian embassy in London denied Russia intends to downgrade diplomatic relations between Moscow and Britain, but said ties have “deteriorated to an unprecedentedly low level entirely on London's initiative”.
A spokesperson for the Russian embassy told The Times that the former ambassador had made “considerable efforts to preserve contacts and channels of communication” with the UK but accused the government of choosing a “path of confrontation” with Russia.
“He left Britain in the hope that a more constructive and respectful dialogue could eventually be restored, should the UK reconsider its policies towards our country,” the spokesperson said.
“In the meantime, the embassy is headed by the chargé d’affaires.”
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “This is a matter for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“We have an ambassador and embassy in Moscow to engage and raise concerns with the Russian government.
“We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, which has the right to defend itself against Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion.”
Last week, Russia’s embassy in the UK said reports that Ukrainian forces had used unmanned aircraft manufactured by two UK companies “confirm that London is deliberately opting for an escalation of the Ukraine crisis”.
It accused Britain of “seeking to contain Russia and inflict maximum damage on it by proxy” and warned that the deeper its involvement becomes, “the higher the price it will pay”.
“London’s actions will inevitably carry consequences for which it will have to answer,” it said.
But prime minister Andy Burnham hit back, saying Britain would not be deterred by the threats.
Asked what his message to Putin was after Russia accused the UK of escalating the war, Mr Burnham said: “This is the UK doing what it has long said it would do, which is to support Ukraine 100 per cent against this illegal war led by Vladimir Putin.
“We are providing support so that Ukraine can defend itself, and that’s been the British position all the way through this conflict by previous prime ministers.
“It remains the case with me. We are not fair-weather friends. We will be there in Ukraine’s hour of need, and that won’t change.”
It is unclear why Mr Kelin left his post after his seven-year tenure. Last year, he denied Russian involvement in the 2018 Salisbury poisonings, claiming they were “staged” in a plot reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel.
